CONCORD, N.C. - Hall of Fame broadcaster Barney Hall, a cornerstone of MRN’s NASCAR coverage since the network’s founding in 1970, died Tuesday from complications following a recent medical procedure. He was 83.

At the time of his death, Hall was in the company of long-time companion Karen Carrier – the love of his life.

Hall was born on June 24, 1932, in Elkin, N.C., the town he called home his entire life. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy and served four years of active duty, during which Hall launched his radio career. He would return to his hometown and work as a disc jockey at radio station WIFM for 13 years.

Hall was widely known for his calm voice and unmatched storytelling. He was part of MRN’s award-winning race coverage since the network’s debut in 1970. Prior to that, Hall served as Bristol Motor Speedway’s first public address announcer, called his first Daytona 500 in 1960 and missed only four broadcasts in the 57-year history of "The Great American Race."

One of those was the "500" won by Matt Kenseth in 2012, when illness sidelined Hall. But as NASCAR returned to Martinsville Speedway one month later, fans once again heard a comforting, familiar voice over the airwaves.

Barney was back in the booth.

Hall remained an integral part of the network's NASCAR coverage throughout the next two years. On July 6, 2014, he worked his final race - calling Aric Almirola's rain-shortened win at Daytona International Speedway, which returned the iconic No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports entry to Victory Lane.

Hall's voice was heard on a number of special broadcasts in the months that followed. The National Motorsports Press Association named Hall its Broadcaster of the Year in 2014. He and MRN producer Darrell Smith teamed up to win another NMPA award in 2015. Barney was inducted into that organization's Hall of Fame in 2007.

In May 2012, NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame jointly announced the creation of a new award to honor the media’s contributions to the success of the sport. It carried the names of two legendary MRN broadcasters: Barney Hall and Ken Squier, who were also the first recipients.
Hall was recently recognized by the Motor Racing Network with an appreciation award for his 45 years of service.

Mr. Hall is survived by Karen Carrier, the love of his life for 35 years, an aunt and several cousins.

As if this week’s news could get any better. Dale Earnhardt Jr. confirmed today that he WILL participate in our NASCAR XFINITY Series ToyotaCare 250 on April 23. Announced yesterday, the ToyotaCare 250 will be the second of four Dash 4 Cash races this season. The new format will be made up of qualifying, two heat races, and a final main event of 140 laps.

As a 2015 Challenger in The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Dale will be ineligible to win the cash…but that doesn’t seem to soften his excitement for the new format.

Families and NASCAR go hand in hand. Traditions with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, that kooky cousin of yours, and friends are in the sport's DNA. Traditions that can be passed on to future fans, so they too can feel the rush of excitement when their favorite driver take the checkered flag.

We're in the tradition business here at RIR, and as we bring back the tradition of Sunday afternoon racing we're hoping it can rekindle some of your own. Come sit in the grandstands with kids and watch them smile as they see their driver heroes in person for the first time. As they experience something new and awesome, you'll be able to relive the memories created with your parents when you came to RIR back in the day.

Forty years of day racing took place at RIR, yet there's so many who've never witnessed such an event at America's Premier Short Track. That's all about to change. Now you can come see all the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as they take to the track for the first scheduled day race at RIR since 1997.

Experience thrills in every turn drivers fight their way to the front of the pack, feel the hair on the back of your neck stiffen as the cars roar past, smell the rubber burning as they come racing out of the pits.

Come out and create a new tradition this April at RIR. Witness all the excitement and make lifelong memories with your family. You don’t want to miss this!